Wildlife conservation and biodiversity in the context of an ever changing world!

Today, nearly 30,000 species are facing extinction. Wildlife conservation has become a top priority for environmentalists and citizens around the world. It is the act of protecting animal species to prevent habitat degradation and extinction. It’s not only about ensuring the sustainability of the world’s many ecosystems, it’s all about respect. It’s about understanding that we humans are not superior to any other species and that we all deserve to live on this wonderful planet.

Protecting wildlife is essential to maintaining, and even improving our current quality. The air we breathe, the water we drink and the food that we eat all ultimately rely on biodiversity. It plays an important role in maintaining a healthy ecological balance on this earth. And we must teach the younger generations the value of wildlife conservation and biodiversity, hence empower them to take part in creating a safer planet for every animal and plant species.

Indeed to help protect wildlife, it’s important to understand how species interact within their ecosystems, and how they’re affected by environmental and human influences.

How is wildlife being affected?

Earth has witnessed widespread extinctions before, but this time there is undeniable evidence that species are disappearing as the result of human actions. The concern is that many species are being lost before we are even aware of them, or the role they play in the circle of life. The extinction rate of species is now thought to be about 1,000 times higher than before humans dominated the planet. Hence, below are a few of the effects of how wildlife is being affected.

Weather condition

Habitat loss and degradation coupled with an altered climate and rapidly warming global temperatures has fundamentally changed the very biosphere of our planet. This is forcing species to adapt or perish at a rapid pace, and trends have shown a strong tendency to the latter. Earth has lost 50% of its wildlife in the past 40 years. However, seeing these outrageous statistics, it is wildly apparent that in order to save these remaining species, we need to take action now. In most cases, when the situation is threatened or their habitat destroyed, most of these animals will die, and others will be left to go extinct.

Populations of herbivores such as giraffes have already started to shift their geographic range, and migration patterns. Forage availability will have dramatic impacts on reproduction and survival rates of these animals placing these populations at high risk of becoming endangered.

Poaching and illegal wildlife trade

Aside from the risk of extinction, animal populations are at risk of uncubed poaching. Despite the 2013 Wildlife Conservation Act Introducing strong deterrents of high fine or life sentence against poachers, it is sadly not enough. Elephants and rhinoceros are the most desired animals because of their horns and tusks. Over 70% is exported to different countries and a large return made from their consumer market after ivory is used to create ornaments and jewelry.

What are the solutions to save wildlife?

Avoid speciesism

In modern society, there is a big problem in terms of speciesism. We humans like to place ourselves at the top of the ladder. After humans and pets, we need to place mammals and birds also in our ladder of importance. We should change. We should eliminate that mythical ladder of speciesism and start to realise that we are all one. We are all connected. Each organism, no matter how small, should have the right to live. Because life is the greatest gift of them all we should definitely respect that.

Preserve wildlife habitat

Another way you can save wildlife is by making sure you spare habitat anytime you cross the. You should make a place where wildlife and other living things find favorable conditions to reproduce, thrive and survive away from predators and adverse weather conditions. The best way to save their habitat is by not polluting waters, the environment and avoid cutting down trees in forests.

Provide water

In many cases, wild animals don’t have a reliable source of water. These animals can find food by themselves without any problems when their environment is preserved. However, there are many circumstances where these animals have long distances to find food. You can help them find clean water to drink by simply providing a source of water and monitoring it closely.

Humans have done a lot of atrocities against wildlife in both the past and the present under the name of survival. After all, we were responsible for the extinction of many of the world’s most impressive species of mammals and birds. Therefore, conservation is a must for the future of our planet.